Reaction Bonded Silicon Nitride is produced by nitriding compacted Silicon powder. This production route is considerably more cost-effective than hot-pressing. Very complex and accurate shapes can be produced, which hold their shape during firing. After firing, as for Hot Pressed Silicon Nitride, it can be diamond ground to tolerances as close as 0.01mm. Although not as strong as Hot Pressed Silicon Nitride, its strength is held up to 1400C, with long term oxidation resistance up to 1150C. The thermal and electrical properties of the two forms of Silicon Nitride are however very similar. This form finds use as supports in situations of continuous temperature cycling within ranges of up to 1000C, as well as for gas turbine components. Reaction Bonded Silicon Nitride is resistant to a wide range of chemicals and molten metals.

Silicon Nitride spheres have found use as bearings in the automotive industry, as they have high wear resistance and have a coefficient of friction and a density much lower than steel.